November 26, 2013
"Christmas Eve" Comes Early This Year to Benefit BC/EFA
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
On Dec. 2, XL nightclub will play host to "Avenue Q" star Ann Harada and a host of Broadway's hottest leading men for "Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve," a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
"Christmas Eve, the beloved, opinionated, heavily-accented therapist from 'Avenue Q' makes her holiday fantasies come true in this evening of song and comedy that both skewers and pays tribute to the great romantic duets and iconic moments of Broadway," reads a press statement from an earlier event. "No lyricist will be spared as she re-interprets the modern songbook with the help of some of Broadway's most talented, hilarious and gorgeous leading men."
An evening of song and comedy will skewer and pay tribute to the great romantic duets and iconic moments of Broadway. Expect the jabs and japes to flow free and fast as Christmas Eve tackles modern songbook accompanied by Broadway's hottest hunks.
Specials guests scheduled to join Harada include "Newsies" star Aaron J. Albano, "Peter and the Starcatcher" cast members Adam Chanler-Berat and Greg Hildreth, Santino Fontana of "Cinderella," "Avenue Q" alums Jordan Gelber and Howie Michael Smith, plus Jose Llana, Howard McGillin, Clinton Sherwood, Max von Essen and "Smash" stars Leslie Odom Jr. and Wesley Taylor.
"Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve" is directed by Alan Muraoka with choreography by Rommy Sandhu and music direction by Gary Adler. The show was conceived and written by Adler, Harada and Muraoka. The event will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.
Since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $225 million for annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide, providing essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. Broadway Cares is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.
"Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve," will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at XL Nightclub, 512 West 42nd Street in New York City. For information or tickets, visit the Broadway Cares website.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
